The Office of Grundy County State’s Attorney Jason Helland provides a Victim/Witness Coordinator for crime victims who were victimized in the County of Grundy.

Our Victim/Witness Coordinator, Vicki Surman, will maintain contact with victims of crimes who were victimized in Grundy County. Mrs. Surman will provide crime victims periodic updates on the case and keep victims informed of upcoming court dates. Mrs. Surman is the point of contact for any victim who seeks information about their case. Mrs. Surman may be contacted at (815) 941-3276.

Vicki Surman received her Bachelor of Arts in Human Services from Judson University. Mrs. Surman has served as the Victim/Witness Coordinator for Grundy County’s State’s Attorney’s Office since January 1997.

The Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses:

The Constitution of the State of Illinois declares that crime victims have certain legal rights. These rights ensure that they are treated with fairness and respect throughout the criminal justice system.

Additionally, the laws which preserve the rights of crime victims also afford certain basic rights and considerations to the witnesses of violent crime – the people who are essential to successful prosecution.

As passed by the Illinois General Assembly, these rights include:

The right to be treated with fairness and respect for their dignity and privacy throughout the criminal justice process

The right to notification of court proceedings

The right to communicate with the prosecution

The right to make a statement to the court at sentencing

The right to information about the conviction, sentence, imprisonment, and release of the accused

The right to timely disposition of the case following the arrest of the accused

The right to be reasonably protected from the accused throughout the criminal justice process

The right to be present at the trial and all other court proceedings on the same basis as the accused, unless the victim is to testify and the court determines that the victim’s testimony would be materially affected if the victim hears other testimony at the trial

The right to have present at all court proceedings, subject to the rules of evidence, an advocate or other support person of the victim’s choice

The right to restitution

Can I receive compensation for physical injuries suffered?

If you sustain physical injuries and the injuries are from certain violent crimes, then you can file with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office under the Victim Compensation Act. Victim’s Compensation can reimburse you for medical expenses and loss of earnings. It only covers expenses NOT covered by your insurance company. It DOES NOT apply to property damage.

You are eligible for Victim’s Compensation if:

You are injured as a result of a violent crime committed or attempted against you

You have a loss resulting from injury of $200.00 or more after deducting any benefits or payments from Workman’s Compensation or private insurance (those 65 years of age or older are exempt from this requirement)

You notify the police within 72 hours of the crime

You cooperate fully with law enforcement officials in the apprehension and prosecution of the offender

You are not related to or living in the same household as the offender

Your injury was not the result of any provocation on your part

You file an application for compensation with the Illinois Court of Claims within one year of the injury

Contact the Attorney General and/or the Grundy County State’s Attorney’s Victim & Witness Services Coordinator, Vicki Surman, if you would like to request a Victim’s Compensation Act Form from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office at 815-941-3276.

State's Attorney

Address:111 E. Washington StreetMorris, IL 60450

Phone: (815) 941-3276

Fax: (815) 942-0142

Disclaimer

The information contained on this Web Site was valid at the time of publication. Grundy County staff, officials and authorized agents reserve the right to make changes at any time without notice and assume no liability for damages incurred as a result of errors, omissions or discrepancies.